MARLEY
OCTOBER 29, 2009

October 29th 2009. My twenty sixth birthday, is that scary or what? The guys decided to throw me a party at the loft, which was currently very calm. I personally put that down to the absence of Jimmy, Kay and Hilary. I had told Kay like ten times to take a day off from work. But who listens to me anyways?

And when Jimmy learnt about it, he went to bring her back immediately. I was not going to even waste my time thinking why he couldn't wait. It was hard to understand the couple at times.

On top of that, Matt and my parents were here. Things would only go crazy when they left. I was sat with mom, who was talking to Greg happily, while Matt was talking to dad and Zacky. Johnny and Lacey were engaged in a deep conversation with Val about something, most probably their wedding.

Things were tense at the moment between Greg and the guys, to say the least. I wasn't sure how much longer I'd stay with Greg, but I was trying to get things to work out. None of the guys were happy about that, but it was my decision not theirs.

Starting to get bored of the seemingly pointless conversation that my mom and Greg were having, I scanned my doorway. I grinned when I spotted Jimmy and Kay. Finally! I got up to go over and greet them, in my style. "How long does it take you two to get here from the next block?!"

Kay simply grinned along with Jimmy before holding up her hand. I pointed at it wordlessly and gasped which only made her hold up her hand a little higher so I could see the ring better. I let out an ear piercing scream the next second, gathering all the attention.

"When?!" Her grin widened. "About fifteen minutes ago." I screamed again and threw myself at her. She laughed and hugged me back as I congratulated her and Jimmy. Eventually, we broke apart and I turned, beaming to Jimmy. "Don't you think you're getting away from your hug." I held out my arms.

"Marley baby!" He laughed before pulling me in for a bone crushing hug. As I pulled away seconds later, I found myself surrounded by the rest of the guys.

"About fucking time!" Johnny exclaimed. The rest of us laughed and the guys stepped forward to congratulate the happy couple. "What is this? A group hug without me? How very fucking rude!" I turned to face Hilary, oh yeah, the party was here. Without speaking, I pointed out Kay's hand. Hilary screamed, deafening her fiancé Derek in the process.

Her reaction was almost identical to mine. I laughed, sometimes I really thought that we could be related.

I smiled as I straightened my dress. It was now 10:30 and the party was in full swing. I washed my hands and checked my make up on my bathroom mirror. I blew a kiss at my reflection and walked out of the bathroom, only to freeze in shock.

Brian was stood at the foot of my bed, his back to me, shifting nervously from foot to foot. He turned to face me with a smile as the bathroom door shut. "What the hell are you doing here?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. He mimicked my action, only better. I swear no one could arch an eyebrow better than him, or make it look as hot.

"Charming. I come up to give you your birthday present and this is the response that I get." He said cockily and my other eyebrow rose to join the first. "Present?" He chuckled, "You didn't think that I wouldn't get you anything, did you? Come on Denise, we may not be the best of friends, but I'm not a complete asshole."

I snorted but said nothing. He ran a hand through his hair and stepped forward. "Anyway, here. Happy birthday, Denise." He held a small, wrapped box out to me. I carefully took the box from his hand and brought it to my ear, shaking it slightly. "You sure there's not a bomb or any kind of explosives in there?" I asked, cocking an eyebrow.

He let out a laugh, did I say that he had a beautiful laugh that makes you want to listen to it repeatedly? Eh, probably not. "Just open it, Denise." He said seconds later and I did so. I undid the ribbon before pulling the paper off and flipping the lid open. I gasped in surprise.

In the box lay a beautiful bracelet, the one that had circular charms fit on. It was silver and already had a bunch of charms on. The focal point of the charms was a section that spelled out MD Riot, a nickname that the guys gave me ages ago when Good Charlotte's song Riot Girl came out.

There were other charms on the side of my nickname, but the one that caught my eye most was the deathbat that separated MD and Riot. I couldn't believe that he had got me this.

"Denise?" His voice was nervous, something that I never thought I'd hear from Synyster Gates.

I looked up at him, still lost for words. He bit his lip, "If you don't like it, I can change it." I shook my head. "No. It's beautiful, Brian. Put it on for me?" I asked, holding it out and offering him my wrist. He smiled and took the box, taking the bracelet out and fastening it around my wrist.

He looked at me, his head cocked to one side. "You really like it?" I smiled and laughed slightly, "I love it, Brian. Thank you so much." I replied and surprised myself when I pulled him into a hug.

BRIAN

I smiled into Marley's neck and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her closer. The soft smell of her perfume surrounded me, making my heart jump slightly. Damn, I couldn't believe how she could make me feel.

Marley began to move backwards, I didn't want to let her go but I did anyway. She was still with Greg, although god knows why. Maybe it was similar to why I stayed with Michelle for so long; she didn't want to be alone. I sighed inwardly, I didn't understand Marley Denise Sanders.

She smiled at me again as I let my arms drop from her waist. I couldn't force myself to break eye contact with her. She looked so fucking beautiful tonight in a short black dress with red roses printed on it.

Without thinking twice, I reached forward and brushed a loose lock of brown hair out of her face, cupping her cheek. She tensed slightly. Before she could move or say something, I leaned in and kissed her. Really, Haner?

It was quick and soft, but I could still feel the attraction between us. I pulled back and dropped my hand, looking at the floor. I spoke before she had the chance to scream her head off at me. "I don't think I should've done that. Guess I've had one more than I thought I had."

I licked my licked nervously and when she didn't say anything, I spoke again. "You know what happens when beers and I are in the same room, don't you?" I smiled slightly, hoping that she'd buy my lie. And she did.

"No worries, we all do."

"And you're with Greg anyways." I looked up and met her gaze once more. "Although I don't know why." She sighed and began to head for the door. "You deserve better than him." She stopped and turned back to face me as soon as the words left my mouth, her eyes closed as she composed herself. When she opened them, they were bright with unshed tears.

"Then where are they, Brian?"

I don't know, but I'm there...

"Everyone said that when Jared left, and now there's Greg but where are they, the one who I deserve? Why is it that I never manage to find someone better?" She closed her eyes again and I swallowed hard. "Marley, I-"

"This is my decision Brian, my life, can you just respect that? And let me make my own decisions." She murmured before walking out of the room and heading back to her party. I was startled at her words. She always came across as a strong willed, I-don't-give-a-fuck attitude girl. I was surprised that she seemed to lack self confidence.

I was even surprised that she'd shown me that. What the fuck happened to my Denise?

I made my way out to the living room where everyone was either drinking or getting high since the birthday girl's parents had left. Zacky noticed me come out of her room and shot me a questioning look. I shook my head and walked into the balcony for a smoke. And guess who decided to join me?

"She didn't look too happy." Zack spoke up seconds later. "Of course she didn't, she just turned twenty six. Who likes to get older?" I said, trying to distract him from the actual topic.

"Do you seriously think I'm going to buy your words, Syn?" Zacky said calmly, and I shrugged.

"You two are the most fucking complicated human beings that I've ever let to walk around me. People talk and sort things out if there's a confusion of a fucking misunderstanding. But you two swear like sailors, and yet have feelings for each other? To top it all, you both just don't admit it and end up hurting each other unintentionally."

Hearing those words come out of Zack's mouth somehow made me take a walk down the memory lane. I remembered the day that I had met Marley the first time, how beautiful and badass she looked at the same time, how I had managed to get into her black list by asking just one question which wasn't even directed at her, how she'd scream at me at the top of her lungs and how hot she looked whenever she yelled at me. How right it felt whenever I had kissed her and she had returned it.

That was it. I wanted her, all to myself. I needed her to be there for me, and I wanted her to know that I'd always be there for her. But it wasn't that easy.

"And that's how it's supposed to be between us, Zack. You know that, hell you know everything. You know what I want and what's stopping me from getting it." I said before running a hand over my face.

"Remind me again, how long has it been since you realized that you got it bad for Marls?" He asked with a lazy smile.

With a sigh, I answered, "Seven fucking years, and I still can't tell her what I feel for her."

I couldn't believe that nothing in the last seven years could ever make me regret falling for Marley, even though she couldn't stand me until last year. Hell, I couldn't believe that as each day went by, my feelings for her grew and became stronger than ever. And I couldn't ignore the fact that she could still make me so weak in the knees at times, just like she used to seven years ago.

Notes

Update!

Geez, I got so busy with work the last couple of weeks and I was just waiting to get some time to write. And I got some :p
So how'd you guys like this one? Not enough drama?

Tell u what, next chapter will be quite an eventful chapter. Loads and loads of drama :p
So when should I update next? ;)

Stay tuned, and let me know your thoughts about this one <3